The Georgia Department of Education recently released its list of Reward Schools. The designation is reserved for schools with the highest performance or the biggest academic gains by students in the last several years. Banks County Primary School and Banks County Elementary School have both been recognized. The primary school received the honor for highest performance, the elementary school received the designation for greatest progress.​

To be bestowed the honor of highest performance, a school must be among the top 5% of Title I schools in the State. Based on the definition of Reward Schools found in the ESEA Flexibility guidance, calculations to identify these schools are based on the achievement of the “all students” group in terms of proficiency on the statewide assessments that are part of the SEA’s differentiated recognition, accountability, and support system.

To be identified as making highest progress as the elementary school has, the school must be among the highest 10% of Title I schools in the state. Calculations to identify these schools are based on the progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over a number of years on the statewide assessments.Superintendent of Banks County Schools, Stan Davis, said that he was, “extremely pleased with the schools’ most recent designations. The recognition for both schools is well-deserved,” he said.

​“We strive for continuous improvement and the success of all of our students,” The students, teachers, and parents all work hard together and are to be commended for their efforts,” commented Davis.